AviLease, a Saudi-owned aircraft lessor, has clinched a significant deal with Turkish Airlines, placing eight state-of-the-art Airbus A320neo aircraft with the carrier. While the agreement was publicly announced on April 7, 2025, Turkish Airlines has already received two of the aircraft, with the remaining six scheduled for delivery later this year. The terms of the leasing agreements indicate a long-term commitment, aligning with Turkish Airlines’ growth strategy, fleet modernization, and sustainability objectives.

Expressing his enthusiasm for the partnership, AviLease’s CEO, Edward O’Byrne, remarked, “These aircraft will support Turkish Airlines’ growth plans while contributing to their fleet modernisation strategy and sustainability goals.” As a subsidiary of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), AviLease stands at the forefront of the Kingdom’s ambitions to establish a robust presence in the global commercial aerospace sector. Despite its relatively recent inception in 2022, AviLease has exhibited a steadfast determination to rank among the top 10 aircraft lessors worldwide.

In a strategic move in 2023, AviLease acquired the aircraft leasing division of global bank Standard Chartered in a deal valued at $3.6 billion, significantly boosting its fleet to 167 aircraft. Since then, this figure has continued to grow, with AviLease’s current portfolio standing at 200 aircraft placed across 48 airlines globally.

Meanwhile, Turkish Airlines has been actively engaging with lessors worldwide as part of its expansion plans, aiming to double its fleet size to 800 aircraft by 2033. Recent collaborations include a November 2024 deal with Singapore-based lessor BOC Aviation for six A321neo aircraft and a December 2024 arrangement with SMBC Aviation Capital, leasing five aircraft of the same model, highlighting the carrier's ambitious growth trajectory.

As AviLease and Turkish Airlines forge this new partnership, it signifies a mutual commitment to advancing aviation connectivity and innovation, setting the stage for exciting developments in the global aviation industry.